Transsexual wins battle to serve in Spain’s armed forces

Trans people will be allowed to serve in the Spanish Armed Forces, the country’s defence ministry has announced.

A 28-year-old, named as Aitor, was twice rejected by the Army because he did not have a penis.

He had undergone hormone treatment and a mastectomy as part of his gender reassignment treatment.

While women are allowed to serve, the Army had argued that Aitor was not eligible despite his legal status as a man.

Now Spain’s minister of defence, Carme Chacón, has promised to revise legislation concerning medical reasons for exclusion from service.

The British Army recently issued a comprehensive document, The Policy for the Recruitment and Management of Transsexual Personnel in the Armed Forces, explaining who trans people are and outlining how to combat discrimination.

“It was produced to ensure there is a consistent approach across the services and that that approach meets medical and statutory requirements,” the Ministry of Defence said.